Because white folks (ie Dutch people) would paint their faces black which is seen as massive disrespect to the plight of Black people.
Essentially, anti-Zwarte Piet folk argue that painting your face black to play some Saint’s slaves is callous and disrespectful.
Pro-Zwarte Piet folk argue that, since it is a very positive persona they emulate, it is no different than wearing any costume of anyone you admire. There is no inherent disrespect, according to them.
Then there are others, who want to make the case that Saint Nick never owned slaves and that Dutch history was intermingled with St Nicholas’s history, since the Dutch had quite a big role in the creation of slavery. In that case, it would be completely unnecessary to dress up as Moors from the Middle Ages.
In any event, there is now one organisation that still protests the use of Zwarte Piet, some regions do have Zwarte Piet, some others have Piets of all colours, like Rainbow Piet.
Many people consider Zwarte Piet racist because it is usually white people wearing black facepaint (blackface) and they are Sinterklaas (rich white guy) his “assistant” (slavery).
Is racism not coming back into fashion in Netherlands?
Well, if you’ve heard about our recent election, yes. Yes it is.
Honest question because I don’t know anything about zwarte piet. Why is this racist?
Because white folks (ie Dutch people) would paint their faces black which is seen as massive disrespect to the plight of Black people.
Essentially, anti-Zwarte Piet folk argue that painting your face black to play some Saint’s slaves is callous and disrespectful.
Pro-Zwarte Piet folk argue that, since it is a very positive persona they emulate, it is no different than wearing any costume of anyone you admire. There is no inherent disrespect, according to them.
Then there are others, who want to make the case that Saint Nick never owned slaves and that Dutch history was intermingled with St Nicholas’s history, since the Dutch had quite a big role in the creation of slavery. In that case, it would be completely unnecessary to dress up as Moors from the Middle Ages.
In any event, there is now one organisation that still protests the use of Zwarte Piet, some regions do have Zwarte Piet, some others have Piets of all colours, like Rainbow Piet.
Many people consider Zwarte Piet racist because it is usually white people wearing black facepaint (blackface) and they are Sinterklaas (rich white guy) his “assistant” (slavery).